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This program is the first of Perelman Jewish Day School’s 60th Anniversary Speaker Series. Each of the speakers in this series is a distinguished Perelman alumnus. In this program, the speaker is Sara Aronchick Solow ’95, a domestic policy advisor for Secretary Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and a member of the presidential debate preparation team. Sara worked on President Obama’s reelection campaign in 2012 and his 2008 campaign for president. She has also served as a white collar and appellate litigation associate at the law firm of Latham & Watkins. Finally, she was a law clerk for Justice Stephen G. Breyer of the United States Supreme Court, for Judge Anthony Scirica of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and for Judge Michael Baylson of the United States Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Good afternoon, everybody. Yesterday, before votes were tallied, I shot a video that some of you may have seen in which I said to the American people: Regardless of which side you were on in the election, regardless of whether your candidate won or lost, the sun would come up in the morning.

And that is one bit of prognosticating that actually came true. The sun is up. And I know everybody had a long night. I did, as well. I had a chance to talk to President-elect Trump last night — about 3:30 in the morning, I think it was — to congratulate him on winning the election. And I had a chance to invite him to come to the White House tomorrow to talk about making sure that there is a successful transition between our presidencies.

Now, it is no secret that the President-elect and I have some pretty significant differences. But remember, eight years ago, President Bush and I had some pretty significant differences. But President Bush’s team could not have been more professional or more gracious in making sure we had a smooth transition so that we could hit the ground running. And one thing you realize quickly in this job is that the presidency, and the vice presidency, is bigger than any of us.

So I have instructed my team to follow the example that President Bush’s team set eight years ago, and work as hard as we can to make sure that this is a successful transition for the President-elect — because we are now all rooting for his success in uniting and leading the country. The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy. And over the next few months, we are going to show that to the world.

I also had a chance last night to speak with Secretary Clinton, and I just had a chance to hear her remarks. I could not be prouder of her. She has lived an extraordinary life of public service. She was a great First Lady. She was an outstanding senator for the state of New York. And she could not have been a better Secretary of State. I’m proud of her. A lot of Americans look up to her. Her candidacy and nomination was historic and sends a message to our daughters all across the country that they can achieve at the highest levels of politics. And I am absolutely confident that she and President Clinton will continue to do great work for people here in the United States and all around the world.

Now, everybody is sad when their side loses an election. But the day after, we have to remember that we’re actually all on one team. This is an intramural scrimmage. We’re not Democrats first. We’re not Republicans first. We are Americans first. We’re patriots first. We all want what’s best for this country. That’s what I heard in Mr. Trump’s remarks last night. That’s what I heard when I spoke to him directly. And I was heartened by that. That’s what the country needs — a sense of unity; a sense of inclusion; a respect for our institutions, our way of life, rule of law; and a respect for each other. I hope that he maintains that spirit throughout this transition, and I certainly hope that’s how his presidency has a chance to begin.

I also told my team today to keep their heads up, because the remarkable work that they have done day in, day out — often without a lot of fanfare, often without a lot of attention — work in agencies, work in obscure areas of policy that make government run better and make it more responsive, and make it more efficient, and make it more service-friendly so that it’s actually helping more people — that remarkable work has left the next President with a stronger, better country than the one that existed eight years ago.

So win or lose in this election, that was always our mission. That was our mission from day one. And everyone on my team should be extraordinarily proud of everything that they have done, and so should all the Americans that I’ve had a chance to meet all across this country who do the hard work of building on that progress every single day. Teachers in schools, doctors in the ER clinic, small businesses putting their all into starting something up, making sure they’re treating their employees well. All the important work that’s done by moms and dads and families and congregations in every state. The work of perfecting this union.

So this was a long and hard-fought campaign. A lot of our fellow Americans are exultant today. A lot of Americans are less so. But that’s the nature of campaigns. That’s the nature of democracy. It is hard, and sometimes contentious and noisy, and it’s not always inspiring.

But to the young people who got into politics for the first time, and may be disappointed by the results, I just want you to know, you have to stay encouraged. Don’t get cynical. Don’t ever think you can’t make a difference. As Secretary Clinton said this morning, fighting for what is right is worth it.

Sometimes you lose an argument. Sometimes you lose an election. The path that this country has taken has never been a straight line. We zig and zag, and sometimes we move in ways that some people think is forward and others think is moving back. And that’s okay. I’ve lost elections before. Joe hasn’t. (Laughter.) But you know.

(The Vice President blesses himself.) (Laughter.)

So I’ve been sort of —

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Remember, you beat me badly. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: That’s the way politics works sometimes. We try really hard to persuade people that we’re right. And then people vote. And then if we lose, we learn from our mistakes, we do some reflection, we lick our wounds, we brush ourselves off, we get back in the arena. We go at it. We try even harder the next time.

The point, though, is, is that we all go forward, with a presumption of good faith in our fellow citizens — because that presumption of good faith is essential to a vibrant and functioning democracy. That’s how this country has moved forward for 240 years. It’s how we’ve pushed boundaries and promoted freedom around the world. That’s how we’ve expanded the rights of our founding to reach all of our citizens. It’s how we have come this far.

And that’s why I’m confident that this incredible journey that we’re on as Americans will go on. And I am looking forward to doing everything that I can to make sure that the next President is successful in that. I have said before, I think of this job as being a relay runner — you take the baton, you run your best race, and hopefully, by the time you hand it off you’re a little further ahead, you’ve made a little progress. And I can say that we’ve done that, and I want to make sure that hand off is well-executed, because ultimately we’re all on the same team.

At a rally on Independence Mall the night before Election Day, Hillary Clinton will be joined by President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, as well as by President Obama and Michelle Obama. Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi will be performing at this event.

With Independence Hall as the backdrop, Clinton will urge Pennsylvanians to make history on Tuesday by electing her president so she can continue pushing for the American ideals of progress, inclusion, equality and strength that our founders enshrined in our Constitution there in 1787.

Doors open at 4:00pm
Event Entrance at corner of 4th and Chestnut Streets
Register for this event here.

Pennsylvania is the keystone of the Clinton campaign’s legendary “fire wall” and maximizing the turnout in the Democratic bastion of Philadelphia is key to victory in Philadelphia. Accordingly, the city of brotherly love has been graced by a who’s-who’s of luminaries in the Democratic Party.

For example, yesterday singer Katy Perry performed to a packed house at the Mann Center and was accompanied by Hillary Clinton, Dwight Evans, Bob Brady, Bob Casey, Cory Booker and Madeleine Albright.

Tomorrow, it will be Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen’s turn to perform on Independence Mall, along with Hillary, Bill and Chelsea Clinton, and Barack and Michelle Obama.

Today, campaign volunteers canvassed neighborhoods all around Philadelphia, knocking on more doors than the rest of Pennsylvania combined. They were encouraged in this effort by Congressman Elijah Cummings, who represents parts of Baltimore and Howard County, Maryland. He dropped by the West Philadelphia Democratic Campaign Field Office at 1575 N. 52nd Street in West Philadelphia. After rallying the eager volunteers, he visited local churches to greet the congregants.

Award-winning artist and activist Katy Perry will be performing as part of the “Love Trumps Hate” concert series, and Hillary Clinton will be joining her on stage. Perry endorsed Clinton last October and has since campaigned for her. The singer returns to Philadelphia following her performance of “Rise” and “Roar” at the Democratic National Convention.

At the concert, Perry will urge Pennsylvanians to support Clinton by turning out on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, and to find out more voting information at iwillvote.com.

In order to attend the concert, you must RSVP here and obtain a confirmation voucher. You must bring your confirmation voucher to the front gate of the Mann Center in exchange for a wristband to enter the show. However, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and vouchers do not guarantee admission.

Doors open at 5:30.

You can also follow the concert after Shabbat by following The Philadelphia Jewish Voice on Twitter (@PJVoice), Periscope or YouTube.

Award-winning artist and performer Stevie Wonder will hold a “Get Out The Vote” (GOTV) concert in Philadelphia as part of the “Love Trumps Hate” performance series. Wonder is one of the world’s most gifted singer-songwriters, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and winner of 25 Grammy Awards, as well as an Academy Award.

At the event in Philadelphia, Wonder will urge Pennsylvanians to support Hillary Clinton and to get out and vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8. Pennsylvanians can find more voting information at iwillvote.com.

Doors open at 7:00 PM.

Ticket Distribution: Members of the public interested in attending the concert must RSVP here. Only one ticket per person will be issued per RSVP, and you will be required to present your confirmation e-mail at the concert. Admission is first-come, first-served, and a ticket does not guarantee access to the concert if capacity is reached.

Vice President Joe Biden and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will serve as keynote speakers for the Jefferson-Jackson Autumn Cocktail Party, hosted by the Democratic City Committee of Philadelphia.

“I’m honored to have my friends Vice President Joe Biden and Leader Nancy Pelosi as our featured guests for this event,” said Congressman Bob Brady, the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee chairman. “Their presence here in Philadelphia, eight days before the most important election in recent history, is a testament to the importance of the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as we work to elect Hillary Clinton as the next president of the United States.”

Doors open at 3:00 p.m. Attendees should arrive no later than 5:00 p.m. to allow for required screening and to ensure their entry into the event.

Minnesota Sen. Al Franken will campaign for Hillary Clinton across Pennsylvania, with organizing events in State College, York, West Chester and Philadelphia. At these events, Franken will highlight the stark contrast between Clinton and Donald Trump.

With more people voting in this election than any in history, Franken will discuss the importance of electing Democrats up and down the ticket and urge Pennsylvania voters to visit iwillvote.com to ensure that they have all the information they need to vote on Election Day.

Since the deadline for my column was a few days before the third and final presidential debate, there was no way that I could be up-to-the-minute with the latest developments. But then, with bombshells dropping seemingly every 15 minutes, even the 24-hour cable channels have had trouble keeping up with developments. [Read more…]

Minnesota Sen. Al Franken will campaign for Hillary Clinton across Pennsylvania, with organizing events in State College, York, West Chester and Philadelphia. At these events, Franken will highlight the stark contrast between Clinton and Donald Trump.

With more people voting in this election than any in history, Franken will discuss the importance of electing Democrats up and down the ticket and urge Pennsylvania voters to visit iwillvote.com to ensure that they have all the information they need to vote on Election Day.